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In the spotlight

It was back in 2010 when a new beast emerged in Essen, Germany, by two extraordinary artists Din-Tah Aeon and Nino Sable. Named Aeon Sable it forever changed everything that we thought we knew about dark rock and goth music. The creativity and dexterity of the two musicians, involved in several projects of the German underground scene since 1997, has allowed them to travel to seductively-surprising territory creating an alluring, dark atmosphere that continues to command the attention of the fans in Europe and worldwide. Din-Tah Aeon (guitars, programming, production, instrumentalist-songwriter) and Nino Sable (vocals, lyrics, production, songwriter, graphics and media designer) started Aeon Sable as a studio project only and released the debut album named Per Aspera Ad Astra in February 2010 through Af-music. The album, which was still pretty much influenced by goth rock giants like Fields Of The Nephilim and The Sisters Of Mercy, especially the songs like goth rock monuments "Exodus" or "Sever", on the other side already showed some unique and modern elements ("Agnosia", "At The Edge Of The World") that divided the gothic rock scene, goth elitists never really accepted the sound of Aeon Sable, but those who found goth/dark rock becoming a bit boring and repetitive, gave Aeon Sable a chance.

Album of the month - December 2018

Súl Ad Astral is different, still it can be roughly labeled as blackgaze, but in reality it's way more than just that. The music of this act is simply transcedental, such a cohesive, lush and flowing blend of many forms of blackened and atmospheric metal. Oasis is an adventure, it's as emotional as it's intense, it can be extreme in one moment and deeply sensitive in another. Stephen and Michael guide the listener through eight tracks, some of them are proper epic creations, with such a sense for sonic harmony that it simply grabs the listener and it doesn't let go so easily. Elements of black metal are used as a basis, but post-rock, shoegaze, death/thrash metal, doom metal, heavy, progressive metal and yet more are so smoothly connected between each other. All of the tracks on this album are as well from the compositional point true masterpieces, Súl Ad Astral have that much needed creative vein to make perfect dramatic building up in tension songs that are so very dynamic and technically perfective as much as they are smooth. Súl Ad Astral are a true revelation in the field of everything blackened in metal music.

Alcest - Les voyages de l'âme: Masterfully executed melodic sonic journey in the pure Alcest vein. This time even more subtle and emotional. Neige is one of the greatest artists when it's about shoegaze within metal and this album just proves this again. Link: Website

Anathema - Weather Systems: Anathema's ninth studio album testifys in a big way about the greatness of this liverpoolians, the greatness of creating emotional powerful ablazeing sounds. Weather Systems is a work of art, like only they can do. Read a review HERE. Link: Website

Dead Can Dance - Anastasis: Sixteen years have passed since their previous album. Dead Can Deace like in their best times. Ambiental vojage across the world in all its greater darkness. One of the most respected acts of dark music. Link: Website

L'Âme Immortelle - Momente: L'Âme Immortelle showed the most mature, most emotional and deep side in their career with this album. Ten tracks, full of amazing atmospheres and great electronic work, combined with special gothic tender glow. Read a review HERE. Link: Website

Swallow The Sun - Emerald Forest And The Blackbird: Swallow The Sun shocked many fans of their past work. This time with much more ambiental, clean approach, but yeah, there is still doom. Anyway, this album is fantasy in doom. Link: Website

The Cult - Choice Of Weapon: Legendary alternative dark rock legends are back. Like in their best times The Cult showed us that they haven't lost any of their charm. On Choice Of Weapon they've combined great powerful rock tunes with timeless ballads. Read a review HERE. Link: Website